« An open lesson dedicated to Orthodox Book Day was held at the Dormition Cathedral in London »

On March 21, 2026, with the blessing of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, diocesan secretary and sacristan of the Dormition Cathedral in London, held an open lesson for students of the St. Elizabeth Parish School dedicated to Orthodox Book Day and the 462nd anniversary of the publication of the first printed book in Rus'.

The celebration of Orthodox Book Day was established on December 25, 2009, by a decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church and at the initiative of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'. Since 2010, Orthodox Book Day has been celebrated in all dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church on March 14.

Father Dimitry spoke about the history of church books, introduced the participants to the design of liturgical Gospels, and showed them ancient and modern editions in Church Slavonic and English. During the lesson, Archpriest Dimitry drew the audience's attention to the works of the first printer, Deacon Ivan Fedorov (+1583), publisher of the first printed books in Rus': the Apostle, the Book of Hours, the Gospel, and the ABC-book. These publications established the tradition of book printing, making books accessible not only for church use but also for home reading.

At the end of the lesson, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko answered questions.

Photo gallery